ments.
“To me, I want to normalise it,” Heather explains. “It
was the aim of the book (Silk Road) to break down the
barriers and stigma.”
“It’s what happened to me, during this life, that I now
live,” she continues. “We are all human, and certain
things happen to us in life … and that’s called life!”
Heather’s passion for the subject is strong, and why
wouldn’t it, she’s become an advocate for people living
with HIV / AIDS, a spoke person to not only educate but
to open the mind. While suggesting that Australia and its
people are relatively open to helping those living with the
disease many other countries aren’t. She wants to use her
travels, her experience to help educate.
“I want to help raise awareness,” she nods. “It’s a part
of my journey, I can’t not talk about it.”
And that’s the point, while discovering the world
Heather perhaps discovered more about humanity and
herself than any other traveller has.
“NO!”, Heather firmly snaps back, as if admonishing
a naughty child. The response comes to the question of
regrets. “No, I’m looking forward to the next chapter …
yes, chapter three!
“And the great thing is, is that I meet so many people.
People are emailing me all the time about their journeys
and stuff, and some are in their 60s and some are in their
70s and they’re out there and they’re doing it.”
Heather continues that people are also thanking her
for the honesty of her story, perhaps something other
writers are yet to explore, “because of the HIV that is
another level of the story and that serves a purpose, so
it’s a book not just for adventure motorcycle travellers it’s
a book for everybody who is interested in life in general.
Interested in their own mortality.
“You know, life is so short. People need to understand
that. You need a subtle reminder. And what happened to
me was a very, very significant reminder that life is really,
really short.”
So, while Heather’s adventure is so far a two-part act
with a third act bridging the two, what comes next?
“Eventually, my next trip will be around Australia, on
the TT,” she grins broadly. “It can’t be for a while, I mean,
the twins are 12, so I figure, say 8 years. They’ll be well
and truly left school, doing their own thing.”
Or perhaps she’ll take her three boys along on the
adventure. Yes, Heather has three children proof again
that people living with HIV can live a very normal life …
at least as normal as an overland motorcycle traveller’s
life can be …
in perfectly with her stance on breaking down the stigma
around the disease. She is also involved with the Victori-
an Government through the HIV Advisory Panel as well
as the Motorcycle Expert Advisory Panel.
More information about Heather can be found at
heather-ellis.com where both of her books can also be
purchased.
Heather is Chair of Positive Women Victoria (positive-
women.org.au), a Not For Profit organisation offering
support and advocacy for women living with HIV. It ties
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